Ghostbuster Harold Ramis Dies At Age 69

Sad, sad news to start the week, writer, director and actor Harold Ramis, best known for his timeless and ageless Ghostbusters, has died at the age of 69 in Chicago today after a four-year battle with autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels.

The Second City alum’s career spanned more than 40 years, full of comedic staples that not only held together the fabric of popculture, but pretty much wove it in the first place. His endlessly quotable (and often copied) films such as Animal House, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Stripes, and Groundhog Day led Brian Grazer to label him as “the father of modern Hollywood comedy.” So, it’s harldy an overstatement to say that all of us feel as though a piece of our inner child has died with him.

In the words of Dr. Peter Venkman, “Nice shootin’, Tex.” We will miss you.